Australian, Japanese Cities To Be First For New A330 Operations
30 December 2008
Singapore Airlines will introduce its new Airbus A330-300 regional aircraft on routes to Australian and Japanese cities, progressively from end March 2009.
The first of 19 new A330-300s will be delivered to Singapore Airlines by Airbus in mid-January. Initially, the aircraft will be used to complete pilot conversion, and thereafter, operate some short sectors between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, and Singapore and Jakarta, during late February and March.
Its full entry into commercial service will occur on 30 March 2009, and to coincide with the 25th anniversary of the commencement of Singapore Airlines flights between the two cities, the first route will be between Singapore and Brisbane.
From April, services between Singapore and Perth will be progressively converted from the existing B777 operations to A330; conversion will be completed in May. The daily flight between Adelaide and Singapore will be converted by June.
Also in June, following delivery of the eighth aircraft, the A330 will debut on Japan routes, with the daily service to Nagoya to be converted from B777 operations. By March 2010, the daily B777 service to Osaka will be replaced with the A330.
The A330-300 twin-engine wide-body aircraft will be configured with 285 seats in two classes – Business and Economy. A new Business Class seat, especially designed for regional and medium-haul flights, as well as other cabin product features, will be unveiled when the aircraft is delivered in January.
The Business Class cabin will consist of 30 seats, in a 2-2-2 configuration (distinct from the existing B777 on these routes, which is in a 2-3-2 layout). Economy will feature 255 seats, in a 2-4-2 configuration. All seats will feature the new KrisWorld, Singapore Airlines award-winning inflight entertainment system.
The deployment of the A330-300 is shown below:
Service (between Singapore and -) Date Freq (Per week)
Brisbane, SQ245/246* end March 2009 7
Brisbane, SQ235/236 end March 2009 7
Brisbane, SQ255/256* end March 2009 5
Perth, SQ224/225 April 2009 5
Perth, SQ223/226 May 2009 7
Perth, SQ215/216 May 2009 7
Adelaide, SQ268/269 June 2009 7
Nagoya, SQ671/672 June 2009 7
Osaka, SQ617/618 March 2010 7
* Actual inaugural service will take place from Singapore to Brisbane (SQ255) on 30 March 2009 – the date of the 25th anniversary of the commencement of Singapore Airlines services between the two cities. The first flight from Brisbane is SQ236 on 30 March 2009.
I wonder what the award rules for the A330-300 flights are. I often use (two or three times year) my Aeroplan (Air Canada) rewards to travel from North America to Perth via Singapore in business class. I understand that SQ does not allow any *Alliance partner to claim business class rewards on their “new business class” (B777-300ER), even Kris Flyer members have to use double the points for the B777-300ER product.
I just called Aeroplan and as of now they have limited seats on SQ225 (SIN 01:20 – PER 06:20) for the middle of April in business class. However, they have nothing returning on SQ224 (PER 07:35 – SIN 12:55) from April 21 to April 30.
If SQ doesn’t allow *Alliance rewards on their A330-300 routes this will effectively hamper my travel plans for the future. The only other *Alliance carriers that service PER are NZ and TG. Transiting in Singapore and flying SQ has and always will be my first choice to PER.
Can some please tell me I am wrong about the reward availability?
Programs: AC*SE; UA 1K; PCPlat/RoyalAmbassador; HyattGPDiamond; SPGGold;AirMilesGold
Posts: 26,080
While these are new J/C seats, they are a special regional design and not the long haul version, so can't see why the embargo would exist. It's not exactly the 787. Also, as I've posted elsewhere, I've been able to get an Aeroplan award on one of the new SQ 777s with the new first and business class seats, albeit just on a short intra-Asian regional route (HKG-SIN). And that award was in First Class.
It will be the same. There is 'saver awards' available on A330 services in both economy and business
This is good news. Now if I can just figure out a way to get on a SQ 777 or 380 aircraft in business class using my Air Canada Aeroplan miles that would be amazing.
This is good news. Now if I can just figure out a way to get on a SQ 777 or 380 aircraft in business class using my Air Canada Aeroplan miles that would be amazing.
You would need to have very very good luck to do so, seeing that these are basically blocked.
I wonder whether SQ will also restrict these new business class seats on the A330.
Programs: SQ Krisflyer, MH Enrich, Qantas, Qantas Club
Posts: 14
Quote:
Originally Posted by aurigakb
You would need to have very very good luck to do so, seeing that these are basically blocked.
I wonder whether SQ will also restrict these new business class seats on the A330.
I won't be surprised if they do. Looking at their new reward charts for ticket redemptions and upgrade, there are now so many restrictions. Y to C, or C to F upgrades now cost more, C to F almost doubled on the 77W, and impossible on A380. They allow easy upgrades on their regional sectors and the 747-400s. Problem is they now only have 14 747s left, all being gradually phased out because of fuel inefficiency and old age.
Basically, they don't want us to accrue too many Krisflyer miles anymore, and want us to use them up more quickly. They're becoming almost as ridiculous and mean as QF. Sad that they have lowered themselves to that level and stuff the customers' loyalty to SQ.
I won't be surprised if they do. Looking at their new reward charts for ticket redemptions and upgrade, there are now so many restrictions. Y to C, or C to F upgrades now cost more, C to F almost doubled on the 77W, and impossible on A380. They allow easy upgrades on their regional sectors and the 747-400s. Problem is they now only have 14 747s left, all being gradually phased out because of fuel inefficiency and old age.
Basically, they don't want us to accrue too many Krisflyer miles anymore, and want us to use them up more quickly. They're becoming almost as ridiculous and mean as QF. Sad that they have lowered themselves to that level and stuff the customers' loyalty to SQ.
since you ignored the first post, will say again, there is SAVER awards available on A330. in both business and economy. The only aircraft requiring a full redemption in biz remains the 77W and A380.
since you ignored the first post, will say again, there is SAVER awards available on A330. in both business and economy. The only aircraft requiring a full redemption in biz remains the 77W and A380.
Also don't forget the A340-500 which requires full redemption rates.
Therefore the complete list is 77W, A380 & A340-500
And what's this... just one toilet for the whole of business?
At least the economy seats (for those of us forced to slum it) are better - I prefer the 2+4+2 which means you don't have to clamber over an extra person if me & my other half grab the window+isle.
since you ignored the first post, will say again, there is SAVER awards available on A330. in both business and economy. The only aircraft requiring a full redemption in biz remains the 77W and A380.
Yes, right now, it is possible to redeem business saver on the A330, after all they haven't even started service with SQ yet. As to what will happen down the track,..... I would not put it past SQ to restrict them, just because they are NEW! ( but of course, I hope they don't restrict them!!!)
Yes, right now, it is possible to redeem business saver on the A330, after all they haven't even started service with SQ yet. As to what will happen down the track,..... I would not put it past SQ to restrict them, just because they are NEW! ( but of course, I hope they don't restrict them!!!)
True, but I think it's unlikely and if it was to be the case it would have already been announced. It is also my prediction that 77W and A380 BUSINESS class will be 'saver award' available within a couple of years.
